City of Joburg cancels “corrupt” R100+ million fire engine contract

The DA-run City of Johannesburg has announced the cancellation of a "corrupt" contract which was put into place while the ANC was in power.

The Democratic Alliance is singing its own praises on Monday after the announcement of a cancelled contract. The DA-run City of Johannesburg has decided to cancel an R161 million contract for the provision of fire engines.

In a statement, the DA said that the tender was awarded on the basis of forged Big Evaluation Committee (BEC) documents.

“The City’s ability to provide proper emergency services has been compromised. In addition, these kinds of corrupt dealings, presided over by the past ANC administration, have cost the residents of this City of Johannesburg a great deal. As the new administration, Herman Mashaba and his administration are determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that those responsible for this corruption are held to account.”

The party says corruption of this nature is the only motivation behind the ANC’s motion of no confidence against Mayor, Herman Mashaba. The DA also accused the motion of only being aimed at assuming control that would allow “for looting to continue once again”.

The City of Joburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba, said his government will fight the motion with everything it has.

“We have fought against all the other efforts that the ANC has made to undermine the change that the residents of the City of Johannesburg want, that the ANC fears. We will fight this motion and defend the change that is being achieved in our City. We will do this for the forgotten people, the politically unconnected people, the people of the City of Johannesburg.”

While the ANC goes into December looking to appoint a new leader to save the party, the DA is preparing to battle to take control of the Gauteng province. To do so, analysts believe that the DA will need 20% of the township vote. Townships have traditionally been areas where the DA struggles, will the ANC help them pull it off?